Mice: the dreaded household pest! Not only do they spread disease and filth, sometimes it can seem like they’re everywhere. If you’ve seen small shavings of wood, shredded insulation or cardboard, or feces, it’s time to take action!

Mouse traps are a timeless and effective way to take care of problems with mice. The classic spring-loaded design used by Victor Mouse Traps has become almost universally pervasive, and has worked for centuries. There are different kinds of mousetraps, including electronic, catch-and-release, and glue traps, and all of them have unique advantages and disadvantages.

We’re focusing on how to set a spring-loaded mousetrap today, and we’d love to help you keep your home mouse-free!

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Setting a Mousetrap

Here are our best tips for catching mice using spring-loaded traps. A lot of these tips also work for electronic or catch-and-release traps as well!

1. Not using gloves when setting the trap.
   • The easiest mistake to make when setting mousetraps is not wearing gloves.
   • Mice can smell humans, and they will avoid the traps if they smell you!
2. Not using the right bait.
   • Contrary to popular opinion, some mice like cheese, and some don’t.
   • Use something protein and seed/nut based, like peanut butter or chocolate, to lure in mice.
3. Using too much bait.
   • Use a small amount of bait that cannot be reached unless mice step on the trap. If they can swipe it without standing on the trap, they will!
4. Starting with loaded traps.
   • It may seem counterintuitive, but start with unloaded traps (baited but not activated)!
   • Mice are extremely skeptical of new things–especially human things.
   • Set traps out with bait (without loading them) for a couple of nights. It lulls mice into a false sense of security.
5. Starting with a few traps, and gradually adding more.
   • You will catch more mice on the first night of loaded traps than on any other night. Don’t skimp on the traps!
6. Not using multiple traps.
   • This follows logically from the above tip, but you should continue to use multiple traps, two or three feet apart.
   • It might not be a pleasant thought, but if you have one mouse, you probably have more! Mice are prolific breeders.
   • By setting multiple traps, you have a better chance at catching as many as possible at once.
7. Not setting them in the right place.
   • Mice travel along walls, under furniture, and generally any place that offers cover. They’re not typically scurrying across open spaces!
   • Place mouse traps along walls and behind furniture, with the bait placed nearest to the wall.
8. Not checking traps.
   • Your mouse problem is not going to be gone overnight. It takes diligence to make sure traps are working, set, and not going to waste!
   • Mice can, in some instances, grab bait without setting off the trap. They can also set the trap off without getting caught!
   • If you leave a trap without bait or unloaded, it’s not doing its job.

How to Set a Mousetrap

We know–it’s a lot to take in! We’ll break it down in four easy steps:

1. Wearing gloves, bait the traps with small amounts of peanut butter.
2. Set a large number of traps out, with the bait facing the walls, for a couple of days– without setting the spring.
3. On “the Big Night”, add fresh bait to the traps, and activate the trap spring.
4. Check your traps!

Professional Mouse Control and Removal

If you’re overwhelmed or squeamish at the thought of doing all of this by yourself, give Rentokil a call. We’ll work with you to determine the best method for controlling the mice in your home, eliminating them and preventing them in the future!

Temperatures inevitably drop during the winter months, causing mice to seek refuge from the cold and cozy up inside your home. Even if you think all the openings to your home are sealed, mice know how to wiggle their way inside, especially when threatened by freezing temperatures. While they may look harmless, mice can cause damage, possibly carry diseases, and even become a fire hazard, which is why it’s imperative to take action immediately.

When Natural Remedies are Useful in Keeping Mice Away

We know how stressful and surprising it is to experience a mouse sighting inside your house. Even more daunting is the thought of getting rid of it! While more serious infestations warrant seeking professional help, there are a number of natural home remedies that can assist in keeping mice out of your home. Home remedies are often favored in pest control because they are non-toxic, effective, and, in many cases, the more humane option. Keep reading to learn about the six natural ways to get rid of mice this winter!

Top 6 Ways to Rid of Mice Naturally

The following list describes six popular methods of using things lying around your home to prevent mice infestations during the winter.

1. Peppermint Oil: Mice are known to not be big fans of peppermint. Apply peppermint oil drops to cotton balls and place them in entryways, kitchen cabinets, and any other suspected entry points. You can even try planting mint along the exterior of your home.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar & Water: Spray this mixture around the perimeter of your house as well as in any access points inside. Make sure to re-apply the solution once a month.
3. Fabric Softener Sheets: Mice can’t stand the smell of fabric softener. Stuffing these sheets in suspected entry points will not only keep mice at bay, but keep your home smelling fresh and clean!
4. Steel Wool: This is a great option that has proven to be effective in keeping mice away, because they are unable to chew through the the tough material. Simply stick steel wool in any crevices or holes in your home, using a bit of silicone to keep it in place.
5. Used Kitty Litter: It is well-known that cats are natural predators of mice, and any mouse will scamper away when they suspect a cat lives in the home. Place tubs of used kitty litter near suspected access points in your home.
6. Instant Mashed Potatoes: This is a frugal option of getting rid of the mice in your home. Sprinkled instant potatoes will likely be ingested by the mice, who will not be able to tolerate or survive the expanding flakes in their stomach.

Naturally Preventing Mice During the Winter

Along with the methods listed above, there are several easy steps every homeowner can take to keep on top of controlling mice infestation in their home.

• Regularly inspect your home to look for signs of mice.
• Scope out any possible entry points and seal or close them off.
• Always keep food sealed and securely stored; never leave it out.
• Keep inside and outside areas tidy and free of exposed garbage.
• Make sure any foliage or tree branches are at least three feet away from the foundation of your home.
• During the colder months, keep birdseed to a minimum.

As always, make sure to call a professional if these natural home remedies do not work or if you need assistance. At Rentokil, we are dedicated to helping our customers stay pest-free during the winter and year-round!